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Writer's picturePhil (JWT Admin)

The Road to Liberation - 1st April 1941



Hi Everyone


First off sorry for the lack of posts we run out of funding after being hit by some large bills (electricity, Rent and Insurance) and with the covid restrictions in place fundraising is very difficult at the moment. We had to reduce some of the costs, which included our website housing, archive subscriptions and other things. We are trying to get back on top of things but as a non-profit organisation, we did not qualify for any Government support during covid and all funds raised from tours have to now be focused on the maintenance of our project sites. Social media and blogs are going to take a back seat.


The blog is important to us and I know many missed it, but we had to focus on the sites we look after first.

 

80 years ago today in Jersey 1st April 1941


Today would be the 275th day of the Islands Occupation with 1,499 days remaining.



A hundred tons of crude oil arrives for the Electricity Company and a large number of anti-aircraft guns and the necessary personnel.





Jersey issues its first postage stamp; these were printed at the " E.P." office and there was a rush by philatelists to secure first-day covers. The stamps—in carmine—embodied the Jersey "coat of arms ", being designed by Major N. V. L. Rybot, D.S.O., F.S.A.


On being asked by the Bailiff to design the first local penny stamp, Major Rybot was told that his drawing was to be based on that of the first Guernsey stamp, for the German authorities would sanction no other design. His design, however, differed from the original in that he gave the King of England's shield of arms a more correct heraldic treatment. He also inserted in the corner four very small " A "s, which stood for " Ad Avernum, Adolphe Atrox," that is to say, " To hell with you, atrocious Adolf " On the half-penny stamps, issued later, Major Rybot altered this lettering to " A," " A." and " Bo" " B," meaning 41 Atrocious Adolf " and "Bloody Benito."


 

Further afield

1st April 1941


The commonwealth graves commission record 127 deaths this day 80 years ago, the average age was 28.


RAF Action

The Royal Air Force dropped the first 4,000-pound blockbuster bombs of the war, by Vickers Wellington medium bombers in a raid over Emden.





Luftwaffe Action

It is estimated that about 170 enemy aircraft laid mines mostly in the Humber area and off the East Coast.


Atlantic

To avoid being captured by the Americans and Canadians, 8 German merchant ships were scuttled by their own crews in various South American ports. German vessels “Leipzig”, “Montserrate” and “Friesland” were scuttled off Peru, German vessel “Cerigo” scuttled off Ecuador, German vessel “Sesostris” scuttled off Venezuela and German vessels “Eisenach”, “Hameln” and “Orinoco” were scuttled off Mexico.



 

Occupation Focus


The cover of today's blog is of the German Resistance Nest First Tower which is found on the South coast of Jersey.

Weapons and Equipment

One Light Machine Gun One 4.7cm Czechoslovakian Anti-Tank gun mounted with a Machine Gun


 

Book Recommendation


The April book recommendation is "Six Days." The story centres around the paratroopers of the 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 82nd Airborne Division and the brave citizens of the quiet French hamlet. The battle of Grainges maybe not be known as some of the invasion stories but this beautifully illustrated novel captures the true story.


 

Exploring bunkers Always get permission from the owner Take a torch, a spare and one more for luck Don't go alone & tell someone where you will be and for how long You will get dirty as most are often full of rubbish and may have been used as a public toilet Anything you find still belongs to the person that owns the property Unexploded ordnance is still found in Jersey if you see or find anything that looks like ordnance please call the bomb disposal officer on 01534 612 61


Sources of Information German Documents are housed at The National Archived in Washington or Archive in Kew UK T-78 Roll 317: OKH Coastal and Channel Defenses Files 1940-44 -

T-78 Roll 318: OKH Coastal and Channel Defenses Files 1941-43

T-315 Roll 1639: 216th Security Division War Diary

(Kriegstagebuch), Belgium, France & Russia 1939-42 

T-1022 Roll 2423: Various War Diaries (Kriegstagebucher), Channel Islands 1941-44

Atlantic Wall Coastal Battery Lists: Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, & France 1944-45 

T-312 Roll 1559: 7th Army War Diary (Kriegstagebuch), France 1941-43 & T-312 Roll 1558

T-315 Roll 1643: 216th Security Division War Diary

(Kriegstagebuch), Belgium, France & Russia 1939-41 

T-311 Roll 16: Army Group D War Diary (Kriegstagebuch), Western Front Aug-Nov 1944  Operation Green Arrow - Occupation of the Channel Islands MOD 584 Allied Technical Intelligence Reports 1942-45 German Preparations for Invasion of the United Kingdom 1941-42 B-833, 319th Infantry Division (1941-45) German Seacoast Defenses, European Theatre - prepared by the Artillery Evaluation Board

BBC News & Archives

The Britannica Jersey Occupied by Michael Ginns - ISBN 978-1-905095-29-2 Operation Nestegg Plans Operation Hardtack Plans Operation Basalt Plans RAF Photos care of The National Collection of Aerial Photography

The National Archive of Newspapers Bundesarchiv - Multiple Photos - and Files A Map of slave labour camps. Kindly Provided by Emilio Pérez Photo's and information provided by fans Onsite visits & internet research

Cabinet Papers Second World War memoranda (cab 661- cab 665) After the Battle Multiple Magazines

CIOS Archive & Publications (become a member here)

If we have used any photos or information which you believe to posted without permission, please contact us at info@jerseywartours.com and we will resolve asap.


Jersey War Tours is Registered with the Jersey Financial Services Commission as a Non-Profit Organisation - NPO1207

Jargon Help

Widerstandsnest (WN) = Resistance Nest (RN) A small pocket of resistance would be made up of small groups of up to 10 men with light weapons. They would man Anti-tank weapons, an observation post or a field gun. Stützpunkt St.P = Strongpoint (STP) Next level up from an RN and consisted of several RN's. STP areas would have a combination of weapons and different branches of the military used. Examples of this can be found with Strongpoint Greve de Lecq and Strongpoint Corbiere Einsatzstellung = Operational Position or Action Post Smaller MG type position generally it was only maned during an alert Feldwache = Field Watch Early resistance nest

Jägerstand

Jäger Casemate was a special design and name for bunkers designed to hold a 10.5cm field gun

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